By reuvenveksler
November 10, 2021
2 min read

The belle époque emerald and diamond brooch

The belle époque emerald and diamond brooch
The belle époque emerald and diamond brooch

Another version of Cinderella’s fairy tale

Anita Delgado was born in a modest family in Malaga. Being strikingly beautiful, she became a stage dancer in Madrid, Spain in her late teens. While dancing, she caught the heart of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala who was visiting Spain to attend the marriage of some high-ranking people. 

Reluctantly, the Delgado family allowed the prince to meet their daughter. 

Preserving Anita’s reputation, the Maharaja proposed to her and sent Anita off to Paris, where she underwent months of training meant to turn her into a true Parisienne and Maharani of Kapurthala. 

The belle époque emerald and diamond brooch
Anita Delgado wearing the Belle Epoque Brooch

Young Anita was fond of jewelry and precious stones. On her 19th birthday she got a magnificent Belle Époque emerald and diamond brooch.

Initially, the brooch adorned the Maharaja’s most prized elephant – then Anita wore this brooch as a forehead ornament at official events and when sitting for formal portraits.

This brooch was a special jewelry piece for the Maharani, too. The mesmerizing brilliance of diamond and an extraordinary crescent-shaped emerald made the brooch a centerpiece her whole collection. 

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